A distinguished panel of speakers participated in the Webinar which included: President Azad Jammu & Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan; Chairman Kashmir Solidarity Council Mr. Javid Rathore; President Greater Kansas City People-to-People Organization Mr. Zahid Awan; prominent human rights and civil society activists from across the U.S. Ms. Alicia Coleman, Ms. Khemarey Khoeun, and Mr. Todd Thompson. A documentary on Kashmir was also screened out.Consul General Tariq Karim welcomed the panelists and stated that Youm-e-Istehsal was being observed to express solidarity with the oppressed people of IIOJK and draw attention to the blatant measures taken by India since August 5, 2019. He said that unlawful measures in IIOJK, including those related to changing demographic structure, were an attempt to alter the internationally recognized disputed status of IIOJK and further marginalize the people of Kashmir. He stated that, in order to suppress the people of IIOJK, India has deployed 900,000 security personnel; enforced the most extended curfew and lockdowns; imprisoned the Kashmiri leadership; tortured and extra-judicially killed young Kashmiris; and imposed collective punishments. He highlighted the need for the international community to act in Kashmir. Recalling that a just settlement of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions is essential for sustainable peace in South Asia, the Counsel General emphasized that India must reverse all unilateral and illegal measures imposed in IIOJK; rescind the demographic changes; halt its oppression and human rights violations and take concrete steps towards the resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
In his keynote address, President AJK Sardar Masood Khan highlighted the grave human rights and humanitarian situation in IIOJK in the wake of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019. He stated that the US-based non-governmental organization “Genocide Watch” has warned that IIOJK was on the brink of genocide. He said that Indian security forces in IIOJK were committing all sorts of crimes including an inhuman blockade, destruction of properties, extra judicial killings, forced disappearances, abduction of youth, etc. He urged the Pakistani-American community to approach their local political leadership and urge them to work for the resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.
Mr. Javed Rathore highlighted Jammu & Kashmir as an internationally recognized dispute under the UNSC resolutions. He stated that it was responsibility of the international community, especially the U.S., to help resolve this issue. Highlighting the human rights violations in IIOJK, Mr. Zahid Awan said that people of IIOJK were subjected to mass killings, enforced disappearances, torture, rape and sexual abuse through political repression and suppression of freedom of speech. He said that several international NGOs have documented the human rights abuses carried out by occupation forces.
Ms. Alicia Coleman expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Stating that Kahmiris were not alone in their struggle, she underlined the need to unite internationally against human rights abuses in Kashmir. Mr. Todd Thompson highlighted the importance of protecting human rights and equality of all people. Ms. Khemarey stated that as a descendent of genocide survivors she could better understand the impact of war and genocide for the future generations. She expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir and said that she was glad to be the part of discussion where voice could be given to the oppressed people.
